See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Desi Rodriguez saw no reason to wait, even though he knew his recruiting stock could go higher.
The Abraham Lincoln senior wing verbally committed last week to play basketball at Seton Hall next season after a coming-out performance of sorts in front of Pirates assistant coach Fred Hill at the prestigious City of Palms tournament. Other scholarship offers from top colleges would have likely been on the way after his strong overall play — including 25 points against the nation’s top-ranked team, Montverde (Fla.).
But Rodriguez didn’t want a school that jumped in late.
“I felt like it was important to commit now because I didn’t want to get caught up in the excitement with all the schools calling for me and make a decision that I would later regret,” Rodriguez said.
He will join Railspitters teammate Isaiah Whitehead a possibly coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton” at Seton Hall. It was reported back in September when Whitehead committed that Morton would join Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard’s staff next season, but no official announcement has been made.
Rodriguez said that he and Whitehead, who have a close bond off the court as well, did talk before he made his decision. They wanted to keep up their partnership that led Lincoln to a Public School Athletic League Class AA city title last season.
“He said we play so well together, and why not do the same thing in college,” Rodriguez said.
Seton Hall is getting one the city’s most versatile and improving players. The 6-foot-7 Rodriguez can score inside and out and is dynamic in transition and a workhorse on the boards. He is averaging 25.5 points and 13.7 rebounds over five league games this season. Rodriguez feels Seton Hall plays a style that will bring out the best in him.
“They are a team that likes to get out and run and I think I could fit in with that perfectly with my athleticism,” he said.
Rodriguez fit in well after transferring to Lincoln as a junior from Fredrick Douglass Academy III, which played in the Public School Athletic League’s Class B division. He is a big reason the Railsplitters are the defending city champs and a favorite to win again this season. Rodriguez scored 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the victory over Thomas Jefferson at Madison Square Garden.
He now joins a Seton Hall recruiting class including Whitehead, Bishop Loughlin star Khadeen Carrington, four-star recruit Angel Delgado, and Ismael Sanogo that is expected to help turn the program around. It a position Rodriguez is happy to find himself in.
“I’m very excited to be a part of Seton Hall because I think the players that I will be there with next year can put a whole lot on the table,” Rodriguez said.